But no ministers were willing to publicly condemn the Foreign Secretary, instead repeating his claim that he had been making a point about the tactics employed by Islamist fighters.

Libya was plunged into a bitter civil war, resulting in the deaths of thousands, after Colonel Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.

The city of Sirte was finally captured from Isil militants last year, but the country is still largely ungovernable.

Mr Johnson said business bosses had “a brilliant vision to turn Sirte, with the help of the municipality of Sirte, to turn it into the next Dubai”.

And he added: "The only thing they've got to do is clear the dead bodies away and then we'll be there."

But while Downing Street responded to the comments, Cabinet ministers remained silent, with only de-facto deputy Prime Minister Damian Green saying Mr Johnson should be “careful” in his use of language.

A Downing Street spokesperson added: “The First Secretary of State said this morning that politicians should be careful with their choice of words and the PM would echo that sentiment.

“We did not feel it was an appropriate choice of words."

The spokesman said the matter was now closed, and asked if he should apologise, he said: "That's a matter for him."

However - in a move which could also be interpreted as a swipe at the Prime Minister - Dr Lee: “Why is anyone having a problem condemning these comments? I do. Anyone decent would”

Contributions from readers

craigstevens150...

10:41 on 7th October 2017

Then of course there's the matters of the Buddhist temple dead bodies in Libya and allowing and being part of a extreme right wing anti E.U. think tank allowed to operate from the auspices of the Foreign office with civil servants who are paid for by the taxpayer being used as staff and not being in line with Government policy. Once again his and his cronies own agenda hampering the negotiations around leaving the E.U. This think tank and its members have a clear agenda of not only a hard Brexit but of working to disband the E.U. in its entirety. Usual suspects from the extreme right of the Tory party. They have interest in enough properties in Tufton street not to have to waste taxpayers monies to further their own ambitions.